How to Avoid Snowboarding Injuries

No doubt about it, snowboarding is an extremely fun sport to undertake; however, no matter how many adrenaline rushes you may get on a snowboard, there are several risks you need to be aware of. Nothing would be worse than being stuck with a broken leg or a sprained wrist in the middle of a snowboarding trip, no matter how cool it would look returning home with the experience.

To ensure you avoid receiving snowboarding injuries, here are a number of broad safety measures you should adhere to:

1. Before you get on that snowboard, make sure you are in shape for this exhilarating sport. When organizing your winter sports trip, get into shape with a training program to improve your core stability and muscle. It is important to have strong endurance and leg strength, in order to avoid snowboarding injuries.

2. Although the cold temperature may require you to wear several layers of clothing, make sure that your choice of clothes does not hinder your movement in any way. Ensure that you are able to move freely and with ease, so that you can snowboard properly with the thrill that comes with it.

3. Before hitting the slopes, make sure you warm up and cool down first. Snowboarding is a sport like any other, so this is definitely a necessity. Take your time stretching and prepare your body for action.

4. While snowboarding, always wear wrist guards and helmets. Most injuries that occur from snowboarding are those related to the wrist. When one is about to fall, the natural response is to stretch out a hand; and falls seem to occur naturally with beginners. Therefore, when snowboarding, it is essential to wear wrist guards, in order to reduce the possibility of such wrist injuries during falls. While wrist injuries are the most common, head injuries are also likely to occur, and these can lead to serious conclusions. Wearing a helmet is a good way to reduce the possibility of minor concussions during a low velocity collision while snowboarding.

Do not avoid buying the wrist guards and helmets. Although you may believe that you are saving money this way, hospital bills will cost you much more. Also, refrain from borrowing safety equipment from friends; this could actually increase your risk of injury. If you decide to hire your safety equipment, ensure that the store is reliable and trustworthy. Before you hire or buy safety equipment, try them on and make sure that you are comfortable in them and that they fit properly. Doing so will help prevent serious injuries and falls that could occur from ill-fitting equipment.

5. Make sure you test your bindings yourself every day before snowboarding. It is quite simple to do this. Simply step into the binding and release the toe-piece from under its control mechanism by twisting the binding sideways. To test the heel, simply step into the binding and lean forward to release the heel-piece. Both heel and toe should be able to release if you have adjusted your bindings properly. Also, whenever possible, use 'multi-mode' release bindings. These modern bindings give superior release that can help prevent injuries. Also, rear release boots are also hepful in reducing the risk of ACL injury.

Lastly, always adhere to the FIS Rules for Conduct in Winter Sports:

1. Respect for others: a skier or snowboarder must behave in such a way that he does not endanger or prejudice others.

2. Control of speed and skiing or snowboarding: a skier or snowboarder must move in control. He must adapt his speed and manner of skiing or snowboarding to his personal ability and to the prevailing conditions of terrain, snow and weather as well as to the density of traffic.

3. Choice of route: a skier or snowboarder coming from behind must choose his route in such a way that he does not endanger skiers or snowboarders ahead.

4. Overtaking: a skier or snowboarder may overtake another skier or snowboarder above or below and to the right or to the left provided that he leaves enough space for the overtaken skier or snowboarder to make any voluntary or involuntary movement.

5. Entering, starting and moving upwards: a skier or snowboarder entering a marked run, starting again after stopping or moving upwards on the slopes must look up and down the slopes that he can do so without endangering himself or others.

6. Stopping on the piste: unless it is absolutely necessary, a skier or snowboarder must avoid stopping on the piste in narrow places or where visibility is restricted. After a fall in such a place, a skier or snowboarder must move clear of the piste as soon as possible.

7. Climbing and descending on foot: a skier or snowboarder either climbing or descending on foot must keep to the side of the trail.

8. Respect for signs and markings: a skier or snowboarder must respect all signs and markings.

9. Assistance: at accidents, every skier or snowboarder is duty bound to assist.

10. Identification: every skier or snowboarder and witness, whether a responsible party or not, must exchange names and addresses following an accident.

Please do take these broad safety measures to heart whenever you go on a snowboarding trip. And don't forget to enjoy each and every snowboarding experience. Have fun!